No matter what type of golf books you’re into, there’s something out there for you.
My goal with this post was to create a list of the very best golf books out there, so regardless of what type of golf book you’re looking for, you’ll see something that’s interesting.
I’ll continue to update this as I read more, and get more recommendations from readers! Do you have a favorite? Drop a comment and let me know!
Best Quest: Playing from the Rough
As someone who has his own quest to visit the top 100 golf courses (and top 100 bars), I appreciate a good quest.
And Jimmie James accomplished one of the most impressive I’ve seen: playing the top 100 golf courses in America in one year.
But while that might be the hook that gets you in, it’s the stories about his upbringing how he overcame some massive obstacles in life that really make this book worth reading.
A well written and inspiring story about one man's quest to play the top 100 golf courses in America in 365 days.
Best Golf Instruction Book: Harvey Penick’s Little Red Book
I don’t know if this is the best-selling golf book of all time, but if it were? I wouldn’t be surprised.
Harvey Penick’s Little Red book is hands down one of the most accessible, and useful golf instruction books ever written.
Has anyone ever told you to “take dead aim?” If so, you can thank Harvey for that one.
This is the best selling golf instruction book of all time. It should be on every golfer's shelf.
Best Golf Architecture Book: Anatomy of a Golf Course
Through my top 100 travels, I’ve seen some of the very best golf courses in the world. And with the more courses I see, the more compelled I am to want to study what makes them so great.
I think Tom Doak’s Anatomy of a Golf Course is the best starting point for someone who wants to learn more about golf course architecture and the design process. It’s easy to read, enjoyable, and when you get to see him break down a hole that you’ve played before? It makes you want to play even more.
If there's one golf architecture book you should buy, this is it. Great information for both beginning and advanced students of the game.
Best PGA Tour Book: Slaying the Tiger
There have been quite a few books written about the PGA Tour, but I enjoyed this one the most.
Why?
It talks in-depth about the young new stars on the tour (well, not so young now), so pretty much regardless of who your favorite (or least favorite) is, they will be discussed in the book.
It’s also a no-holds-barred approach, where Shane Ryan is willing to be blunt and tell it like it is based on his experience traveling and reporting on the 2014 PGA Tour.
The "Tour" may have changed since this came out, but hearing the history of some of the world's best players is no less interesting.
Alan Shipnuck can be a polarizing golf writer. And writing an unauthorized bio on Phil Mickelson? That’s about as tricky a character to write about as you’ll find, short of Tiger Woods.
But not only did Alan write an entertaining book, I found it to be very fair and balanced in telling the story of one of the most famous golfers of all time.
A very honest look at the man that Phil Mickelson is. I really enjoyed this, and found it to be a well-rounded take. Highly recommend.
Most Timely: LIV and Let Die
I tried not to include multiple books by the same author, but having just finished Liv and Let Die, I couldn’t leave it off.
If you’ve been confused about how the whole LIV vs. PGA Tour battle came to be, and don’t fully understand the ins and outs of the history between the tours (and those involved), this book will tell you everything you need to know.
When it comes to the current state of the Tour(s), this is a must read.
Are you also confused as to how the PGA Tour has (de)evolved over the last few years? This book gives insight into all the backstory between LIV and the PGA.
Best Golf Mindset Book: The Inner Game of Golf
We all know golf is a mental sport. It doesn’t matter how good or talented you are, if you can’t master the mental side of it, or inner game, you’ll never live up to your potential as a golfer.
Based off my favorite sports (and frankly, psychology) book ever, The Inner Game of Tennis, Gallwey introduces you to “self 1” and “self 2” and shows you how to make the two become friends and help you play much better golf in the process.
Most of you are probably going to pass on this, and say “my mental game is just fine.” Just wait in 3 months when you’re up against the person who has taken this stuff to heart.
If your golf mental game needs work, this is definitely a good starting point for gaining control over your thoughts while on the course.
Best Books on Golf Courses: The Confidential Guide Series
When Tom Doak’s original Confidential Guide came out, it ruffled more than a few feathers.
Someone finally had the nerve to objectively rate hundreds of courses around the world.
It quickly became a collector’s item and original copies of it ran into the hundreds online.
Well a couple years ago, Doak decided to enlist the help of a few friends and re-release the Confidential Guide as a series of 5 books.
They aren’t cheap, but if you’re a golf course geek and want the collection that I’ve heard referred to as the “Golf Course Bible” check it out.
The ultimate coffee table book series for the golf traveler. There's 5 volumes covering the entire world. All of them are excellent.
Best “Making Of” Golf Book: Dream Golf
I had to kind of make a random category for this one. But the fact is, if you’ve ever ventured out to Bandon Dunes, Dream Golf is an absolute must-read.
If you haven’t been to Bandon Dunes it’s still a must-read, and it should come with a disclaimer that it will lead to you spending a couple grand to take a trip down there.
Dream Golf covers the entire building and construction of each of the courses and the resort. It’s a fascinating read, and one to read before you go, and then again after you return.
This book is a must read for anyone who is visiting, or even thinking, about visiting Bandon Dunes.
Best Golf Story: The Match
If you were to ask any diehard golfer to choose one “must-read” golf book, there’s a high likelihood they will say “The Match.”
The Match tells the story of the greatest golf match of all time between amateurs Harvie Ward and Ken Venturi, against legends Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson.
It takes place in what may be the sexiest of all golf settings in the world, Monterey Bay – and more specifically at Cypress Point.
Regardless of whether or not you know how The Match turned out, it’s a fascinating read, and provides insight into some of the best golfers to play the game.
Is this the greatest golf novel in the world? You could make a case and I wouldn't argue with you.
Best Book on Exclusive Golf Clubs: How to Play the World’s Most Exclusive Golf Clubs
I’ve followed John Sabino’s blog for years now, and he was one of the people who inspired me to do my own Top 100 golf quest.
Years ago, he finished his goal of playing the Top 100 courses in the world, and then wrote a book all about how he was able to access these courses.
If you’ve dreamt of playing places like Augusta National, Pine Valley, or simply the most exclusive club in your town – his book provides great details on how to do it.
Or, you can read my blog post here on the nine things I’ve personally done to be able to access some of the world’s best.
The title is pretty self-explanatory. Want to play more exclusive golf courses? Read this book.
Most Inspirational Golf Journey: A Course Called Ireland
For some people when they reach their thirties and are hitting the beginning of a mid-life crisis they buy a Porsche, or take a trip to Hawaii.
But for Tom Coyne, he had something else in mind. A walk to end all walks.
He decided to trek across the country of Ireland and play every seaside course in the process.
This book shares the story of his trip, and inspires you to take an adventure of your own.
I’d also check out two of his other books: A Course Called Scotland, and A Course Called America.
Golf, travel, adventure, humor - what more could you want?
Best Stats Book: Every Shot Counts
Over the course of history, statistics have mostly been domain for PGA Tour pros. There was frankly no way for the amateur to calculate the most detailed numbers of their game – and frankly, for most people even if they could it wouldn’t be worth it.
Well things have changed.
I first read Every Shot Counts on my flight back to New Haven, Conn. to meet with the Arccos Golf team for the first time.
Arccos Golf is an app with sensors on each of your clubs that allows the amateur to track all of the same numbers that PGA Professionals get from their rounds. It’s fascinating and I’m a huge fan. See my full review of Arccos Caddie here.
So what does that have to do with Every Shot Counts?
The book, finally gives you a framework for what to do with those numbers. It also uncovers numerous fallacies about golf, such as debunking the “drive for show, putt for dough” notion.
And if you’re a data geek, then this is a must-read. Here’s my review of it.
if you're looking to leverage data to improve your golf game, the Strokes Gained methodology is the most accurate way to do it. Pair this book with a set of Arccos Caddie sensors? You have Tour Player level statistics.
So, There You Have It
There are hundreds of really good golf books out there, but these are ten that span different aspects of the sport, and ones I most thoroughly enjoyed. I’ll update this post at some point, with another 10-15 to read in case you’ve already read most of these.
Recent Updates
August 9th, 2024: Added a new video version of the post, added Playing from the Rough, added Phil, added LIV and Let Die. Updated formatting to page.
And in the meantime:
6 Comments
Thanks for this great list! I’m a big fan of the Coyne’s book and I put his Paper Tiger in my personal top 5, with The Match and American Triumvirate.
Retiring soon — maybe to Pinehurst. My goal is to break 80 on all the courses there and everywhere I play. Looking forward to getting ur thoughts on breaking 80…
My personal favourites [in the “Most Inspirational Golf Journey” category:
PREFERRED LIES
A Journey to the Heart of Scottish Golf
Andrew Greig
BLASTED HEATHS & BLESSED GREENS
A Golfer’s Pilgrimage to the Courses of Scotland
James W Finegan
This is a great list from those I have read. I will check the others out.
Simplicity: The Fluid Motion Factor Golf Program by Steve Yellin taught me how to get my head out of the way of my golf game.
The Four Foundations of Golf by Jon Sherman gave me a better perspective on my golf game.
Together, these two books have greatly increased the fun I’m having on the golf course this year.
great list!
I would add that Pia Nilsson and Lynn Marriott’s book, “Every Shot Must Have a Purpose” has been great for my game, especially with the mental aspects. They focus a lot on what feels one should focus on during a round, especially when things go haywire
Tiger Woods biography by Armen Keteyian was absolutely fantastic.